Enverus has released its 2025 Interconnection Queue Outlook, detailing power generation and transmission projects seeking connection to the U.S. grid. Utilizing a proprietary machine-learning model, Enverus assigns success probabilities to queued projects, allowing for analysis of trends and insights related to portfolio valuation and queue dynamics. Interconnection queue challenges remain a significant obstacle for energy projects, and this outlook provides a data-driven perspective crucial for developers, investors, and policymakers navigating the evolving energy landscape. Ryan Luther, research director for Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR), emphasizes that ISO activity will be a key focus for developers and investors. Generous tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act and updated EPA regulations mandating coal-fired power plant retirements have spurred substantial demand for renewable energy projects, overwhelming interconnection queues and exceeding grid operator capacity. Recent EIR analysis indicates approximately 90% of renewable generation projects don't advance beyond the interconnection queue. Markets including NYISO, SPP, PJM, and ISO-NE experience notably higher suspension rates, ranging from 46% to 79%, compared to 20% in ERCOT, CAISO, and MISO. Projects in these regions don’t show significant improvement in completion probability until construction begins. Silvia Alborghetti of zhero highlights congestion, competition, aging infrastructure, and interconnection bottlenecks as primary obstacles to project siting and renewable energy delivery. Enverus’ interconnection queue data provides a comprehensive view of variables like asset economics, power demand growth, transmission lines, and substation capacity. The recent acquisition of Pearl Street Technologies strengthens Enverus' capabilities, allowing them to serve transmission providers, developers, and policy advisors. Andrea Braccialarghe of zhero notes the value of Enverus' data for leadership decision-making regarding investments. Significant challenges revealed in the 2025 Outlook include prolonged delays – particularly in CAISO, with project timelines averaging nearly eight years – and higher suspension rates in specific markets. Enverus' machine learning model predicts that only approximately 10% of projects currently in queues are likely to successfully come online within the next three years.

New England businesses are facing significant challenges due to escalating energy costs, with federal stop-work orders on vital projects like Revolution Wind putting jobs at risk and jeopardizing billions in private investment and infrastructure improvements. Despite the importance of offshore wind as a reliable energy source and economic driver, these disruptions threaten grid reliability, undermine trust in federal policy, and stifle growth and job creation, highlighting the need for a diverse energy portfolio and a stable policy environment that supports innovative technologies like natural gas, nuclear power, and renewables.

Key Takeaways from the Grid Operators Gathering The pressing issue of reliability gaps in the US power system demands immediate attention from grid operators, utilities, and infrastructure developers. A recent gathering of grid operators has shed light on the key points that need to be addressed to prevent jeopardizing major national priorities. Load growth driven by increasing adoption of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Electric Vehicles (EVs), and electrified heating systems is expected to outpace the construction of new infrastructure unless swift action is taken. Grid operators emphasize that reliability gaps must be bridged urgently to maintain economic stability, support transportation electrification, and foster leadership in AI and data infrastructure. Coordination across federal, state, and regional boundaries has become crucial in addressing the growing electricity needs. The recent gathering highlights the need for a stronger federal-state partnership model to ensure a reliable grid. The importance of effective coordination cannot be overstated as reliability is no longer solely a market or operational challenge but rather a governance issue. The role of FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) in reforming transmission siting and interconnection policy has been emphasized by NYISO and PJM. FERC's leadership in prioritizing actions that preserve reliability while ensuring just and reasonable rates for electric service is critical to maintaining the stability of the grid. In conclusion, sustained coordination across planning, siting, permitting, and investment is essential to address reliability gaps and support long-term clean energy goals. The need for a coordinated effort cannot be overstated as the US power system continues to evolve with emerging technologies and changing energy demands.

New Hampshire’s commitment to renewable energy is facing a significant setback as lawmakers move to redirect funds from the state’s Renewable Energy Fund. The move, spearheaded by House Republicans under pressure to alleviate rising utility costs for residents, will effectively pause new funding for renewable energy projects for a period of two years, extending until July 2027. Governor Ayotte’s initial budget proposal identified the fund’s balance as available for use within the state's general fund, setting the stage for this reallocation. The plan involves transferring a substantial portion of the Renewable Energy Fund into the state’s general fund, a decision that has drawn criticism from various stakeholders. While proponents, like Representative Vose, believe this move originated with Governor Ayotte and directly addresses the issue of high utility costs, others express concern about the potential long-term consequences. Senator Howard Pearl, representing a district with hydropower facilities, advocated for preserving the fund, leading to a compromise on the current course of action. Looking ahead, a bill, HB 224, is currently under review. This legislation aims to return funds to ratepayers in the form of monthly rebates after the Renewable Energy Fund is depleted, potentially starting either in 2027 or 2028. The timing of these rebates remains undecided. The reallocation of funds is anticipated to have several impacts. It will likely result in delays or outright cancellations of planned renewable energy projects, and could deter private investment in the sector. Clean Energy New Hampshire warns that the reduction in renewable energy development might ultimately *increase* utility bills by removing projects that help manage peak electricity demand. Furthermore, legal challenges are anticipated, with the Conservation Law Foundation questioning whether the diversion of funds, originally intended for a specific purpose, is constitutionally permissible. Anticipate further attempts to weaken existing renewable energy support mechanisms.

New England recently faced a significant heat wave, and surprisingly, avoided surpassing a nearly two-decade-old record for peak electricity demand. This resilience can be largely attributed to the growing prevalence of rooftop solar installations and battery storage systems throughout the region. The impact of distributed solar has been particularly noteworthy, effectively shifting the timing of peak demand later into the day, preventing a potentially much higher surge. Battery storage has emerged as a critical resource in balancing the grid. These systems, ranging from large-scale utility batteries to smaller residential units, operate by storing electricity when it's plentiful and inexpensive – often generated by solar power during daylight hours – and then releasing it when demand is highest and generation costs are greater. Green Mountain Power’s (GMP) 72 MW virtual power plant serves as a compelling example of how aggregated residential batteries can contribute substantially to grid stability. The combined effect of solar and battery storage is delivering tangible economic benefits, with GMP estimating $3 million in savings for its customers alone. The growing importance of battery storage is reflected in procurement trends; it now accounts for nearly 45% of bids for new power plants in New England, a figure that’s steadily increasing. Looking ahead, electricity demand is anticipated to peak during winter months within the next decade, driven by the wider adoption of electric vehicles and heat pumps. While solar and batteries played a crucial role in managing the recent heat wave, fossil fuels continue to dominate, accounting for approximately 74% of energy used during the peak hour. Reducing this reliance through greater adoption of renewables and energy storage remains a key priority. To fully capitalize on the potential of battery storage, improved coordination between grid operators and utilities, along with supportive regulatory frameworks, are essential. A virtual power plant, in this context, represents a network of distributed energy resources – typically residential batteries – that are aggregated and controlled as a single entity to provide power to the grid.

The Trump administration's decision to suspend work on the $4 billion Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island has sparked concerns among regional power grid operators, with ISO New England warning that delaying its completion will significantly threaten the stability of New England's electricity needs by 2026. The project, which is 80% complete and aimed at providing a crucial source of reliable power, was expected to help manage growing demand and keep energy costs affordable. With rising electricity demands driven by extreme heatwaves, delays in new energy sources like Revolution Wind pose a threat not only to the grid's reliability but also to the region's economy and potential industrial growth, including future data center development.

Registration is now open for the December meeting of the Consumer Liaison Group (CLG), a platform that allows ISO New England to communicate with electricity consumers in the region. The meeting, set to take place at The Colonnade Hotel in Boston and virtually on Wednesday, December 12 from 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm, aims to facilitate open discussion and provide updates on various topics affecting the power grid. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with consumer advocates, representatives of state business groups, and other stakeholders, all while enjoying a complimentary lunch at noon; both in-person and virtual attendance are available.

ISO New England Staff Share Insights at Industry Events ISO New England emphasizes collaboration, expertise, and innovation. These principles are reflected in the participation of ISO staff at various industry events. Recent June engagements showcased the organization’s work and expertise across a range of topics. On June 13, Cheryl LaFleur, Chair of the ISO New England Board of Directors, participated in a keynote conversation with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Commissioner Judy Chang at the New England Restructuring Roundtable in Boston. The discussion centered on wholesale markets, power system reliability, and transmission infrastructure. Gordon van Welie, President and CEO, along with Stephen George, Vice President of System Operations and Market Administration, presented at a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission technical conference focused on resource adequacy in Washington on June 4 and 5. Al McBride, Vice President of System Planning, engaged in a fireside chat at the New England Energy Conference and Exhibition on June 5, addressing the potential for increased regional electricity demand driven by data centers. Stephen George also moderated a panel discussion and Al McBride provided opening remarks at GETs Day, a forum dedicated to grid-enhancing technologies. Brent Oberlin, Executive Director of Transmission Planning, delivered a presentation on GETs during the event held on June 18 in Westborough, Massachusetts. Eric Johnson, Executive Director of External Affairs, addressed electricity demand growth and energy efficiency at a Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships summit in Boston on June 12. Marianne Perben, Director of Planning Services, presented on resource contributions for reliability and capacity supply at a North American Electric Reliability Corporation workshop in Washington on June 5. A virtual presentation on modeling the future grid was delivered by Kerry Schlichting, Richard Kornitsky, and Elinor Ross to the Massachusetts chapter of Elders Climate Action on June 23. Bin Wang, Lead R&D Engineer, Emerging Technologies, detailed the ISO’s innovative modeling of inverter-based resources during a June 24 webinar hosted by Quanta Technology, LLC.